Methanol Press

Like a medieval astrologer peering at the heavens, author Jeff Scott continues to interpret the cycles, epicycles, and motorcycles of the spinning planets of Speedway.
Some praise of Jeff Scott's work...
"...a prose that possesses a kind of petrol-driven Dirty Realism, as though Raymond Carver had decided to turn up at a speedway meeting in Swindon" The Times
"There is more than a hint of the great, sly realist Martin Parr in Scott's photographs" Daily Telegraph

Speedway Life: Twitter & scuttlebutt – June 2012

“Jus got home from peterbourough! Awesome win again tonight! Darcy can’t be stopped!! Ricky scared us all! But got it done!”

Hans Andersen*

“Shocked just realised how fare we got to drive now #flatout just started our 2100 km (1300 miles) journey Jesus #MadPeople #FromAtoB”

Nicki Pedersen*

“Enjoying The day off with The little One we are going cycling In a bit then we are going to my workshop to say hello to my mec’s”

Rory Schlein*

“Last night pulled into McDonald’s for a sniky snacky snoo ha had the lady in the window at the drive threw said are u Rory Schlein I said Yes “my friend say ya famous ” was gonna say can I get a free thick shack now”

Darcy Ward*

“plz what’s this modest shit….”

Rory Schlein*

“Just saw Darcy score last night BSI take note screw ya one off wild cards and just put darcy in for the rest of the GPs”

Alan Boon*

“Coventry Bees supplied 5 of the riders and 43 of the points in last night’s Birmingham vs Belle Vue meeting #fact”

“If Ty Proctor’s RIDES are altered rather than his points deducted it’s a 47-43 win to Peterborough #justsayin #changetherules”

2nd June

Neil Middleditch

“No-one has really spoken about it. It has been the taboo subject. But Matt, myself and Giles all stood behind Darcy. It was never in doubt that we would stand behind him because we knew he was innocent and we knew the charges were ludicrous.”

Jason Crump

“the [Russian] food leaves a little bit to be desired and McDonalds was our favourite restaurant for the couple of days we were there”

Jim Lynch

“The new averages will show just how much we have deteriorated since the start of the season when the team total was only a fraction of a point under the limit.”

Jason Crump

“There were a few riders in the [Togliatti] meeting I’d never met or even heard of before, so you’ve obviously a bit wary of that”

Colin Meredith

“If you put a little too much water or little too much grip on the track, then bikes aren’t ride-able, basically, and accidents do occur. If you have it slick and smooth, then everyone knows where they start. Everybody wants grip, they say they want grip, but I believe if you give them grip, 70 per cent of the riders couldn’t handle it anyway on these modern machines.”

Bob Dugard

“[Our] pond has enough for eight meetings and by the time we’re finished, it should have enough for 20.”

Dave Jessup

“When will the FIM learn that you don’t need practice? They just went round and round and round wrecking the track. They are riding ten times a week, on all sorts of different tracks so why do they need practice? After one lap you should know where you are going on a track or you’re not a speedway rider.”

Jim Lynch

“[Ales Dryml] rode above his average in his first two meetings. He is a rider who doesn’t let you down. You get what it says on his bike with him”

Peter Kildemand

“I knew Lee Richardson a bit because all us speedway riders are a big family aren’t we? It’s hard sometimes when that sort of thing happens. When I first heard about Lee, I didn’t speak to anyone for about an hour, but once you get on the track you put that out of your mind, otherwise things go wrong.”

Neil Middleditch

“I don’t tell the boys before meetings certain club records are up for grabs. I don’t put extra pressure on them.”

3rd June

Joseph Screen*

“0.1 off the track record today!”

Gary Havelock*

“Well done to Richie Worral for qualifying for the world U21 final. Great to see a young Brit progressing so well and so quickly”

Nicolai Klindt*

“sad to hear about freddies crash in poland, hope he’s back soon. if not its me, tai and fred out – wolves top 3….#badnews”

Alun John Rossiter*

“Sat home cheese board and watching capt America and a few [beers]”

Oliver Allen*

“got a late flight home from Polska and now drivin home!”

4th June

Hans Andersen*

“Weiiiiii……. Happy to see Luton airport finally had their Electronic Passport control open after tree years #WorkedPerfect”

Mads Korneliussen*

“important business meeting today, that will help in the future. I hope #wishmeluck”

Fredrik Lindgren*

“To get a pipe tucked down your urethra is nothing I can recommend”

David Rowe*

“Just read an interesting interpretation of the team change Peterborough almost made last month #interestingandtotallyinaccurate”

Rory Schlein*

“I’m coping some stick being an Ozzie I know bugger all about football hmmm ya be surprised doosh bags”

Mads Korneliussen*

“We need to bring the fun back in speedway #likethe80’s”

Morten Risager*

“Want revenge at rye today! Hopefully danny halsey can score some points at his old home track #MustWin”

Kenneth Bjerre*

“Sorry but some people talks shit !”

Alun John Rossiter*

“Why is the new breed of speedway supporter becoming like a football one.There was always banter but never rude and no respect sign of times! Before people jump on the band wagon it’s not just me I am talking about in general i find it sad!!”

Paul Burbidge*

“It seems the referee in Grudziadz had his car trashed last night. Speedway isn’t just a game to the Poles”

Alan Boon*

“FINALLY made it to Rye House speedway. All I will say is that I hope Harlow burns #unscheduledtour”

SpeedwayBIKERfm*

“The Speedway Show is having a break tommorow so that we can upgrade out software so the recent server issues due to demand won’t occur again”

Danny Halsey*

“What a fucking shit day! #fuckspeedway”

Alan Boon*

“FFS! Fuck you Peterborough! Matches on all over the country and the TV match is off. Call it off earlier, you cunts! #nothappy”

Gary Havelock*

“Just seen Grace Jones sing slave to the rhythm whilst doing the hulahoop. She then said happy birthday to the Queen. WTF???”

Nigel Pearson*

“Right call to postpone tonight’s speedway at Peterborough. Common sense decision but shame for fans”

Michael Whawell

“Panfs/Hammers off. Track staff declared it as no-go at 3 p.m., but Sky insisted on wait-and-see. They did, and it rained some more. Not so much waterlogged as mud-logged”

Dean Barker*

“had to look twice thought it was tony millard playing with that comb over not Elton”

Alan Boon*

“Did Shovlar really claim on the BSF that young Aussies are better than young Brits because all young Brits care about is booze & girls? O_o”

Kyle Newman*

“Do I seriously have to wait till Friday to race? Too long! #wanttoraceeveryday”

Stuart Robson*

“The road home seems to get longer each week, only just at the M18 now”

5th June

David Watt*

“Have been told to ‘sit and wait’ at immigration in Skavsta. I must look dodgy this morning”

Greg Hancock*

“’I wish you would check out your “page” on Facebook & get it removed’ > I’m not on Facebook”

Alan Boon*

“Seems even Swindon fans aren’t happy with Hans Andersen’s heat 15 behavior last night – was it really that out of order?”

Alun John Rossiter*

“Hans was never popular when he was on his game people think he’s just a nice guy Now he’s coming back Hans of old”

Alan Boon*

“Saw my first ever NL heats yesterday. As a fan of the old British Junior League I was looking forward to it. Let’s just say it’s no BJL”

Alan Boon*

“Yay, Lee Smart’s back in speedway! Replacing a rubbish Aussie!”

Joseph Screen*

“Another day, another bike wash”

Gary Patchett*

“My take for what it’s worth. 1. It was unnecessary given that the result couldn’t be changed. 2. Misko has Form in that respect. Don’t dish what you can’t take. 3. Didn’t Ermolenko used to do that to the delight of the fans? 4. What’s the ref said Isn’t that what the ref is there for? To determine what’s fair or otherwise? If Ward had slowed someone to let Holder thru we’d be saying . It was genius. End of.”

Alan Boon*

“Seems fair to me. Didn’t see it myself. Before I’d be able to go to YouTube and see it but, oh yeah, GSI put a stop to that”

Greg Hancock*

“I AM NOT ON FACEBOOK! Just another reminder to y’all. All the other people out there running Greg Hancock FB sites r nothing to do with me!”

“RIP RICO! Gone but never forgotten #RIP will never forgett you from the time in rzeszow! Made the flights so much easier, thanks man!”

Darcy Ward*

“Tai keep putting up all this eBay stuff #unfollow”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“agreed!”

Tai Woffinden*

“do it then ya faggets ohh and dont for get FB :)”

Darcy Ward*

“lol don’t cry having a joke”

Tai Woffinden*

“i no ya goon! what ya recon d dub should we take the wild cards next year lol”

Darcy Ward*

“good .. Fuck dude not thought that far … Dont know big call”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“fuck off chickenlicken I wasn’t joking! Here selling my can of poo”

Neil Middleditch*

“Such a sad sad day today,but a fitting tribute to a great guy,never forgotten mate #RICO”

Hans Andersen*

“All tucked up in bed for tree hours before ✈ out to Copenhagen #Yeeah just like to wish the mechanics a safe drive overnight towards Denmark”

8th June

Alun John Rossiter*

“Now that’s a first at heathrow checked in in 5 mins stick u stanstead Luton”

Chris Holder*

“Real mellow heathrow this morning… I like”

Chris Holder*

“Another new set of sunny’s!! Jus need the ☀ to come out! Or maybe go somewhere where it is out ☀… Hmm”

Alan Boon*

“Poole have announced Adrian Miedzinski has left the club. Left them 3 points better off than when they stole him in March In all seriousness, what Poole have done beggars belief. It makes a mockery of competition in the league and hurts their rivals financially. In a sport where financial margins are tight to say the least, this amounts to theft. But as long as Ford dupes the BSPA it will carry on There have been many sad days for the sport already this season but this shouldn’t be underestimated as one of the saddest #hangyourheadFord Miedzinski’s value lay in his bargain ave. Poole have destroyed that value & will only have to pay a top-up loan fee. Swindon are the losers in Miedzinski affair. As compensation they should be allowed to use him on 5.57 or sell him to other club on that ave”

Dean Barker*

“Was a hard day yesterday but great send off for #RICO rip mate x”

Paul Burbidge*

“Congrats to Adrian Miedzinski for turning his 5.57 average into 8.47. Did Matt Ford plan for it to go that well?

Alan Boon*

“He took a gamble & it paid off. Unfortunately it wasn’t his gamble to take, it was Swindon’s. I guess you’ll report that?”

Paul Burbidge*

“He didn’t want to join Swindon. It’s his right to go elsewhere. He was a free agent.”

Gary Patchett*

“And Kasprzak wasn’t? Has to cut both ways Paul.”

Alan Boon*

“Then why didn’t Poole buy him?”

Paul Burbidge*

“They should all be free agents. I don’t believe in the asset system. If their contract is up, they should be free”

Paul Burbidge*

“It’s purely my opinion. Why should any club (Poole included) earn money from a rider they don’t have under contract?”

Alan Boon*

“Can we look forward to an Op-Ed on this in the Star soon, then?”

Gary Patchett*

“You’re saying now its your opinion Paul but earlier u justified his signing by Poole it by stating AM was a ‘free agent’”

Paul Burbidge*

“As a Wimborne Road regular, I’d like to see Ward, Holder and Lindback form the most entertaining top 3 in speedway Having said that, KK would be a more reliable scorer than Lindback. With Pirates’ bottom end, they need consistency at the top.”

Alan Boon*

“Swindon are shafted Miedzinski’s arrangement was reported to be until the end of May, yet it’s now being accepted by press that it was until he got a new ave Can Paul Burbidge, David Rowe, Andy Povey & Nigel Pearson not see the real Miedzinski story? Or just ignoring it? #sscandal One of speedway’s biggest problems is a lack of independent journalism. All hacks attached to clubs & concerned for job security #waveitthrough”

Bryn Williams*

“In view of “lack of independent journalism,” have you personally considered e.g. setting up an alternative magazine to the SS?”

Alan Boon*

“Toyed with it but that’s besides the point – I shouldn’t have to. A press should not be pliant in the face of gamesmanship”

Bryn Williams*

“Not beside the point at all! If you feel THAT strongly, surely DO something about it rather than issue 1001 Twitter messages!”

Alan Boon*

“Do you think the speedway press as it is should be more critical? Genuine question”

Bryn Williams*

“IF, and only IF, they are aware of the FULL FACTS surrounding anything they criticise. Forum digs tend to be based on hearsay.”

Alan Boon*

“You & I both know stories are only half-reported, ignored or misreported to suit the establishment position. Is that right?”

Bryn Williams*

“That’s something of a gross generalisation surely? Give me some specific instances if you know all the facts on them.”

Alan Boon*

“Genuine question: why was Adrian Miedzinski absent for Poole’s matches at Peterborough and Eastbourne? If Miedzinski deal with Poole had expired surely they need to seek permission to talk to him again from Swindon? Presume they’ve done this? Seems Poole have triggered an extra payment on their loan deal with Swindon, nowhere near real value of course, and get to keep Miedzinski Of course, it’s perfectly conceivable that Poole released Miedzinski without finding out if Kasprzak was willing to take his place. Certainly wouldn’t look at the whole “short term deal” thing as a way of getting out of paying a full transfer fee. That would be cynical As it is, Poole are lucky that Miedzinski has managed to talk his Polish club into letting him continue riding for them. Lucky Poole, eh?”

Linus Sundstrom*

“Forgot how good it is to have a few days off from speedway! Weather is lovely so enjoying the life outside speedway this weekend :)”

Alan Boon*

“seems a fan post from British Speedway Forum ended up as official news on the BSPA website, seemingly attributed to Freddie Lindgren!”

Paul Burbidge*

“Just had a chat with Maciej Janowski. He’s going to take a couple of years to get ready for SGP series. He’ll storm it when he gets there”

Adam Wrathall*

“Wire out my arm and metal free now. Got a pot on again for another 2 weeks”

Mads Korneliussen

“There are a few taboo subjects in speedway that people seem frightened to talk about – but I’m not. I want to use my column this week to urge the sport’s authorities to start checking engine sizes and carburettors more regularly. They do it in the Grand Prix and I’d like to see it happen more in Elite League racing. Engines are meant to be 500cc and carburettors can’t expand past 34ml, but more needs to be done to prevent the use of illegal machinery. We’ve seen a lot in the press about silencers, but we need to read more about the parts of a speedway bike nobody dares discuss. It’s a fairness thing in my eyes. There’s a lot of honour in speedway, but more points equals more money and those two things combined means there will always be somebody cheating. In every sport, even chess, people bend the rules to win. In this sport, where people make a living from doing well, nobody wants to talk about anybody breaking the rules to do it. When you bring it up people shush you up because they don’t want anybody to put the sport in a bad perspective. But we see every week in Formula 1 that teams are being punished or disqualified for breaking rules by the smallest of margins. It’s not a bad thing. We need to educate technical staff and make sure speedway, across Europe, is as fair as it can be. If you ask a referee what the punishment is for breaking rules about engine sizes and carburettors, they can’t answer you. It’s ridiculous. We need to have a rulebook that you can open up and find, for example, that if your engine is say 550cc, you’ll be fined £10,000 and banned for two years.

While I’m at it, I can’t remember the last time I was tested for drugs or alcohol either. I don’t think people ride speedway bikes half-cut, but when you go out on a night out now there are drugs everywhere. It’s part of life. I know it’s a pain in the backside, but we need more drug testing in speedway. They do it like three times a day in the Tour de France and look how many cheats they’ve caught.”

Gary Havelock*

“Have you seen the size of the plastic sheet on the pitch for the opening ceremony of the euros……… and speedway can’t cover tracks??”

Phil Lanning*

“A day after speedway said goodbye to Lee Richardson, we must also pay respect to Vic Harding who was killed at Hackney 33 years ago today Special tribute to Steve Weatherley, who was in the crash that killed Vic Harding, and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Amazing courage”

Tom Durno*

“Love the way me and dad both know the words to the polish national anthem”

Alan Boon*

“Mads Korneliussen speaks out on cheating speedway riders We know they’re out there, when can we start checking?”

Nicolai Klindt*

“facebook is doing my head in! people i don’t even speak to is suddently my ‘favorites’, what’s that all about? #pleasedoone”

Dakota North*

“Women!”

Nigel Pearson*

“I’d have loved to have seen Erik Gundersen around PARKEN, he’d have love it”

“I am Preparing my self for the Grand Prix Qualifier on the 16th june I’m just waiting to here back from a few people then it’s game on”

Lewis Bridger*

“I have only 1 person to thank for the Motivation I have right now & that’s #RICO #makehimproud #GB”

Joseph Screen*

“430 miles drive for NOWT”

Lewis Bridger*

“Trying desperately hard to hit 72kg for the GP 16th June”

Alun John Rossiter*

“Sorry for the delay hectic weekend people by tomorrow wrist bands on sale on line for a min £5 due to costs of setting up,at tracks min £2 But the £5 is world wide but people have been giving me in excess of a fiver any way pay pal details after mid day.Ipswich have some Poole Wednesday Swindon Thursday lakeside a week Monday more track details to follow”

Alun John Rossiter*

“On personal note thanks for the good wishes for Bomber only way is up”

11th June

Morten Risager*

“Just landed at stansted airport. Not liking this time of the day at all or this weather!”

Mads Korneliussen*

“Free wifi at krakow airport #melike”

Darcy Ward*

“Foots not good cant stand on it but having a skid in hour to see”

Neil Middleditch*

“had an x-ray fella?”

Darcy Ward

“noo #runit”

Chris Holder*

“he jus a pussy Middlo nothin wrong with him”

Niels Kristian Iversen*

“Rainoff again tonight. Ffs…!!”

Marc Gent*

“Looks like its going to be Belle Vue vs Wolves on the tv tonight, Sky trucks have left the Arena and are on on their way to Manchester”

Troy Batchelor*

“Wat to do today ?? Might go buy a new car”

Morten Risager*

“Can’t beleive we won’t even be given a chance to defend our PL fours trophy! What a joke that is?”

Alan Boon*

“Pawlicki Bros back in British speedway? Wouldn’t kling on to much hope of seeing the season out if I was a certain rider… #speedwayisdead”

Nigel Pearson*

“So excited about Stockholm next year. PARKEN, Cardiff, now the Friends Arena which hosts England in Nov. Big-time Speedway is here!”

Nigel Pearson*

“BSI Speedway once again delivering what they promise – speedway in major national stadiums #sgp”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“People can u pleas stop asking me about Freddie I don’t care if he have twitter or not. Why the fuck would I know why he have deleted it?”

Mads Korneliussen*

“Arrrrrr #rainoff it’s to much now!!! Can’t wait for summer to come, if it ever will. spending the night at Stansted then #hotel”

Nigel Pearson*

“Looking good for Belle Vue – hope to see a good crowd for a good meeting”

Mads Korneliussen*

“It’s 2012 & you cant have wifi in your room #shithotel”

Oliver Allen*

“that’s what you get for sleeping in hotel van you tight ass!!!”

Mads Korneliussen*

“i’am not being tight today, in holiday inn, but with no wifi i do miss my van #camper”

Oliver Allen*

“admit it, you miss larsy too! He is very cuddly”

Troy Batchelor*

“Gotta love that hour wait at passport control in the ‘foreign’ cue …. I feel left out tho as I don’t have a towel on my head #gofigure”

Rory Schlein*

“Dose anyone think sky will travel to Vue after Lynn being called off”

Troy Batchelor*

“after its been cancelled twice there already and made them look stupid a third times pushing it 😉 #justsaying”

Nicki Glanz*

“Cant wait to get my new golf Clubs Friday”

Alan Boon*

“So Poole use an illegal rider at Peterborough and still get to keep 3 points? And they wonder why this sport is a joke! #preciousrecord”

“Dreams ain’t enough if you wanna be the best.. You have to be the tough guy in first corner! #youngstar #backoff”

Adam Roynon*

“Up and on my travels again.. This time to st Bees school for a presentation on speedway!”

Alun John Rossiter*

“It’s official hose pipe ban over by Thames water now que the good wheather ☀☀☀☀”

WorldSpeedway*

“Also think its great that SWC has a major sponsor in Monster Energy that is a household brand, that can only be good for speedway on a whole”

David Watt

“Grand Prix speedway is extremely tough, but if you don’t want to be a part of it then you’re barking up the wrong tree in this sport. How far I can go on a World stage is yet to be determined. I won’t really know how good I can be until I get there, and I’ve been touching the edges of it for a long time now.”

Gary Havelock*

“Morning tweeps. On our way back to Leeds for two hospital apps. Seeing the surgeon who plated my arm at 10 then physio at 12. Will report”

Darcy Ward*

“Can’t wait to get home !!! And hopefully a rain off …”

Nicki Glanz*

“This is what iam talking about ☀☀☀”

Plymouth Herald

“BURGLARS ransacked Plymouth Speedway racetrack stealing thousands of pounds worth of cash, booze and sporting goods. Break-in at race track puts Plymouth Devils’ fixture list at risk… Mr Bowden said around £50 cash and bottles of spirits were taken from the bar, £200 from the candy shop, and about 40 Devils race jackets from the race shop. He said the club and his daughter, who runs the track shop, will have to cover the costs themselves as they are unable to insure an ‘unattended open sports area’.”

Nicolai Klindt*

“power plates, i’m over them…. still in shock and shaking!”

Chris Neath*

“Not what I wanted to hear but kinda expected. Still bruising around my spine causing me probs and could take 12months or more to recover ☹”

Chris Neath*

“Being referred to a spinal specialist, which I reckon should of happened ages ago #gottalovenhs On the plus side the consultant is real happy with how my healing is going and all the probs are to be expected”

Nicolai Klindt*

“love this weather, nothing wrong with staying like this for the weekend! btw i learnt dylan to chew”

Lewis Bridger*

“Forgot just how much fuel we kill driving to Polska #mustpractice first stop Czestochowa to make some practice”

Nicki Glanz*

“Not a happy bunny to say the least”

Mike Bowden*

“Valuable Speedway paperwork is missing, putting this weekend’s meetings at risk – riders’ records and contracts, referees’ reports, everything. It’s such a mess. I’m furious. The race can’t legally go ahead without that paperwork so I will have to see if we can get duplicates.”

Mike Bennett*

“the handful of faceless morons who hide behind their keyboards on the speedway forum??”

Gary Havelock*

“Reply to all you fine tweeple I’m back from hospital now and the only news is there is no news. All looks ok it just needs time & lots of it”

Kyle Newman*

“Even though just a practice after so keen for a skid tonight, been too long since rode a circle!”

Ashley Birks*

“Mint day today riding with the sponsors. Really good to give them a little back for what they do for me #respectguys #justthanks”

Paul Burbidge*

“Word is that Darcy Ward is limping around the Poole pits after his fall in Poland on Sunday. Will it affect his scoring tonight?”

John Chaplin

“Double World Champion Fred Williams of Wembley would dearly love to be invited to present the winner’s trophy at this year’s Cardiff GP at the Millennium Stadium in August. As well as a proud Wembley Lion – his only club – Fred is also a proud Welshman, and the ONLY Welshman to win a world title. He is now in his 80s, but still hugely enthusiastic for the sport and a tireless worker to further its image. It would be fitting if he was invited by BMI/IMG to present the trophy this year in his homeland. I am appealing to as many people as possible to send messages to Paul Bellamy, Managing Director of BMI/IMG, to try and influence him to invite Fred to do the honours. You can send Mr Bellamy a personal message on paul.bellamy@imgworld.com”

Paul Burbidge*

“Beautiful sunshine here at Wimborne Road, but still a bit of a chill in the air. Poole v King’s Lynn – should be a cracker”

Paul Burbidge*

“If Kasprzak, Lindback and Pawlicki aren’t coming to Poole, I’m struggling to see who they’ll get for 8.47 points”

Josh Gudgeon*

“Niels’ win over Ward just makes the Copenhagen wildcard decision look even sillier. Probably the most in form rider in the world right now”

“Just been having a think about the wild card system if they got one. The GP should be filled with the worlds best riders with the polish Rules made that impossible as Darcy Ward ant in it. And with puk not put in the Danish GP and they have put in a polish Jr they don’t Need another polish rider in it to sell seat. With riders like Darcy Ward and puk and when fit laguta my mate ha ha but he on it and at No these riders are the best in the world in the leagues so why don’t they use them hmmmm”

Paul Burbidge*

“Poole are into tactical territory. Screen and Janowski 5-1 puts King’s Lynn 26-16 up after 7. Poole are missing starts by a week”

“Wimborne Road has just gone berserk. Holder went round Janowski and Iversen like a tornado on lap 4 to join Ward on a 5-1. Poole win 48-45”

David Howe*

“balls”

Jonathan Chapman*

“Great result tonight, a well earned league point and very proud”

David Rowe*

“Well – stunning comeback by Poole but a meeting that will give hope to several other clubs. Shame it couldn’t be viewed anywhere”

Paul Burbidge*

“Huge credit to King’s Lynn. What an effort. Best meeting I’ve seen all season. Huge crowd reaction to Holder going from last to 1st on lap 4”

Jonathan Chapman*

“If the King’s Lynn Stars make the play offs I guarantee the Poole Pirates think twice about picking us in the semis this year ;-)”

Nicolai Klindt*

“is it all a set up in TOWIE or are they for real? still haven’t got it. don’t hope they’re for real, cuz man they’re looking like a knobs”

Tony Rickardsson*

“LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!”

Paul Burbidge*

“Great to see you on Twitter, TR. Keep the English-language tweets coming – it’s nice to know what you’re up to”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“Is this the real Champ.. That’s the question”

14th June

Ludvig Lindgren*

“Having a nice sleep at stansted airport and what happens?…. F*cking fire alarm”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“Assembly point here we fucking go!”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“fucking fire alarm man at 2:40 and they made us stay outside for about 30 min fucking freeeeezing”

Rory Schlein*

“u dicks over sleeped and we had to rush got a speeding fine ha ha ha”

Nicki Glanz*

“Can’t wait for my golf clubs to arrive so me and Cory Gathercole can rip up some golf courses”

James Brundle*

“just dropped Mads Korneliussen at the airport and now rocking out in the van. U know wat it is madsey boi #lovelife”

Alun John Rossiter*

“Rico bands on sale at Swindon tonight”

David Watt*

“Seen this woman walkin through airport with a cycle helmet on. Is it really that dangerous in the airports”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“JB German oil now in gold best oil I’ve used never gonna leave it engines purrs like a little kitten or like my misuses on a Friday night”

Ricky Kling*

“Wifi on the plain. Imagine if they had that on 9/11. Then we would know the truth about it”

Hans Andersen*

“Well landed here at ☀ stansted and there’s hardly a ☁ in the sky Weiiii Happy Days might even slip into me shorts….”

Chris Hunt

“Quite frankly what we saw from the team was simply not acceptable to both myself and joint manager Kevin Shepherd, club chairman Brian Ginders and, most importantly our fans. The fact that we only produced one of the fifteen heat winners speaks for itself”

Neil Middleditch*

“Have to say it ..that was fuckin awesome last night 14 down!!Well done to all the boys last night great win”

Darcy Ward*

“I didn’t think we was going to win !!! Good job boys #onit #chinup”

Alun John Rossiter*

“think it was the manger pulling the strings mate”

Neil Middleditch*

“it was crazy mate thought we had blown it.When your 14 down prob good time to do a tac!!!!”

Alun John Rossiter*

“your the man middlo”

Nicki Glanz*

“Dont Think the weather wil let us ride our bikes This week”

David Watt*

“Would like to publicly thank Jim Holder for the heads up on the white macadamia nut cookies from Subway. Un-bloody-believable !!!!”

Nicki Glanz*

“Hayfever is killing me”

Joseph Screen*

“Got to love the ☀in Ipswich skidding tonight”

Ashley Birks*

“Warning rant This weather. What the f**k is it about. I don’t even feel like the season as started another week no meetings. And just looked at the forecast. Could be another week. WTF. Some muti millionaire build an indoor stadium”

“Me and Lewis just smashed a well deserved pizza hut after staying awake for 34hours”

Alan Boon*

“It would be a great gesture if one of the older guys seeded to the British semis would drop out to give Richie Worrall a go – Bunyan, maybe?”

Alun John Rossiter*

“Swindon speedway is off f–k!!!”

Kyle Newman*

“think ya need to build a roof mate!”

Nicolai Klindt*

“feeling sorry for the riders that rides for swindon this year, not much they earn with all those rain offs!”

Alun John Rossiter*

“don’t worry there on massive retainers”

Tai Woffinden*

“since i crashed i have lost 2kg”

Nicki Glanz*

“At recent concerts Madonna flashed her nipple and mooned the crowd. When my great aunt did stuff like that we put her in a home”

Paul Burbidge*

“Just as well I went to Australia in January, otherwise I might have forgotten what summer looks like. This is more like October than June”

Adam Wrathall*

“Traffic on the way, rush to get the bike sorted, then rain off”

Jonathan Chapman*

“Tactical rides for home teams should be banned #unfair”

Alun John Rossiter*

“start calling u John Cook soon”

Hans Andersen*

“fuck… Driving along the M25 and some bloke fallen asleep and pulled across tree lanes into the barrier. Good Troy Batchelor saw it comin”

Rory Schlein*

“What a meeting lost by 1 struggled for speed spinning everywhere but an away point no one would of thought we could of done that And the last race wow everyone was goin everywhere I think it was 50-50 call but iv had that happin to me loads of times but glad Kristoph Is ok I don’t like to see friends crash and get hurt. So Coventry 2moro if the weather holds off”

Dakota North*

“Not happy broke my tooth in half and back chain all on one corner #goandgetfffffd”

Paul Burbidge*

“Now Belle Vue are cooking with gas. It was threatening to be a long season, but Mroczka and Gafurov could turn it”

Morten Risager*

“That has to be 1 of the best feelings in the world. Been a long long time since i have been this pleased with a performance!”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“its strange that Plymouth gets robbed every year and they take team jackets and booze every time. Die hard fans I reckn”

Nicki Glanz*

“can someone please open Reading Speedway again #Racers #Missed”

Mike Bacon*

“The Witches have taken some stick, now they deserve ALL our praise for this effort”

Jonathan Barber*

“great performance by witches. riders were superb…special mention to Dakota North and Cameron Heeps cos they have the best coats and hats”

15th June

Mads Korneliussen*

“just hat to have 3 hours sleep in the van, now we are back on the road to base! #WishICouldBeAFireman #peace”

Jonathan Chapman*

“Speedway365 understands that Poole are in advance negotiations to bring back a former rider…. Surely Steve masters has retired by now :-)”

Max Dilger*

“Edinburgh Airport today. Heading back to Germany. For a 12h Drive to poland. SGP qualifier tomorrow”

Alan Boon*

“Weather looks terrible for tonight, doesn’t look like we’ll get any speedway. Just as well Poole ruined this season last November then!”

Lewis Bridger*

“Nor happy woke up by beeping and dodgy music in the Ibis I go down to reception and ask wtf is that and she says it’s some exercise”

Michael Whawell

“Panfs 12 down after 4 agin Aces on Thursday. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a home team play the black ‘n white in heat 5. But Michael JJ delivered. His scoreline? 0-6-0-0. Bizarre. Talk was he’s under orders to drop his average so that he can go back to No 7.

“In answer to several tweets about track covers – why not take the cost out of some of the money received from the TV deal?”

Taylor Poole*

“1month left of being a teenager. Lets make this a fucking month to remember”

Joseph Screen*

“Mads Tillykke med fødselsdagen! gå drikke mange øl og vælter” [!!]

Rory Schlein*

“Another booking at Eastbourne for lakeside slowly getting them meeting I lost while injured”

Ashley Morris*

“Hate cleaning the bike in this heavy rain !! Need some sun I think !!”

Hans Andersen*

“Stansted should be this quiet all the time when travelling from there and I’d actually like the place”

Troy Batchelor*

“Train ride … Where should i get off ?? #thrillride”

Rory Schlein*

“Wires crossed ppl in on stand by for Monday match if watty can’t make it ha ha my bad”

Richard Hall*

“Anyone know if tonight’s [Oxford] meeting is still on?”

Nicolai Klindt*

“what am i doing to my self….. at speedway when it’s raining on a friday!”

Jo Lowry*

“At Brandon and the track is dry!! No rain here!”

Adam Roynon*

“First hit of hay fever this year!”

Todd Kurtz*

“What a joke that was. Making us drive all the way here [Plymouth] for nothin when it was never gunna be on!”

Nicki Glanz*

“Soo pissed off !!!! What a joke !”

Jo Lowry*

“I’ve missed having Seb Ulamek in Bees colours #teamman”

Chris Holder*

“Amazing how many people get all offended cos I’m goin for Sweden! Hahaha love it”

David Watt*

“Is there a soccer meeting on tonight ?”

Alan Boon*

“Shocking performance by the Bees so far tonight. Will Horton make changes? Not if it costs him money! #speedwayonthecheap”

Chris Holder*

“Phones goin flat! Dammm”

Paul Bellamy

“The [Friends Arena] roof takes that uncertainty out of it for fans travelling from overseas. We can close the roof, put a good race track in, can the atmosphere in there and it just has everything going for it. Speedway fans should be able to watch the sport at the highest level in really comfortable and fantastic facilities.”

Chris Holder*

“Omg Sweden u little beauty!”

Neil Middleditch*

“cock!”

Mike Bowden

“I am very disappointed that our team and supporters had to travel all the way to Scunthorpe for what proved to be a lot of unnecessary travelling. Our team manager Lee Trigger has taken pictures showing that the track was under water when he and Ben Barker arrived there at 3 o’clock in the afternoon”

Ian Adam*

“Grand Prix qualifier at Berwick tomorrow but weather looking crap please someone blow the rain away not good for cameras”

David Watt*

“Don’t take it to heart people ! I love that you’re all patriotic but it’s football.… not a real sport is it ??”

Jerran Hart*

“Worked my absolute nuts off today for Lewis Bridger ! He is looking after me good 🙂 just finished washing the bikes for him for tomorrow SGPQ1”

Pontus Aspgren*

“Im still proud of being SWEDISH!”

Mike Bennett*

“3 guests and rider replacement for the Stars at Coventry – and they wonder why the crowds stay away???? #speedway #farce”

Mike Bennett*

“Well done to the ” Stars select” for another away point but it’s just a joke! #speedway #shootsitselfinthefoot again!”

Mike Bennett*

“Once again the paying public are robbed! #speedway #lastlegs”

Mike Bennett*

“2 teams full of guest riders can’t help can it?? #speedway #madness”

Lewis Bridger*

“Of to bed now last sleep before SPGQ1 I have been given the best chance possible now I need to make sh*t happen this is for you #RICO xxx”

16th June

Lewis Bridger*

“Rise and shine, time for a big breakfast then on my way to Tarnow#fullgas #zuzel #RICO”

Danny King*

“Am 1hr from berwick and its pissing down. Oh how i love british weather. Better make some starts tonight #tearoffsneeded”

Rene Bach*

“Another long day ahead! Flight to Edinburgh then find a train down to Berwick! after that find somewere to sleep”

Martin Neal*

“Scandalously Gary Havelock has again been overlooked in the honours list – nominate him NOW #givegazagong”

Kenny Ingalls*

“Just arrived at Berwick for the GP quali and its raining..of course #letsgetwet”

Nicki Glanz*

“Just filled my van up and the garage wouldn’t except my card, so had to walk all watt in to town to draw cash not happy #Foreign Cards”

Nigel Pearson*

“Now getting to work on my Erik Gundersen speedway brochure which comes out next month”

Kenny Ingalls*

“Rain coat fot the track!”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“Had a good night last night. Was home at 1 and not in a bad state. Fuck me I’m getting old now normally it’s 6 o’clock and still pumping”

Alan Boon*

“Twitter suggests I follow Darcy Ward – like that’s gonna happen. Not sure where following him would end up – sexual deviance, most likely”

Berwick Bandits*

“The practice session has been postponed in order for us to leave the covers in place for now and make sure the meeting goes ahead”

Dakota North*

“Just woke up what todo?” [12.22]

Lewis Kerr*

“Has this speedway season even started?? Sucks!! Haven’t raced in 2 weeks!! Wana score some points!”

Ricky Wells*

“Time to put phone down. Been driving and tweeting at the same time for the last 40 min #sketchy”

Gary Havelock*

“must say a huge”well done” to all the promotion of Berwick.Safety barrier, then FIM meeting and then track covers. Other promoters take note”

Rene Bach*

“Missing the train by 10 min sucks but missing it with 10 sek is even worse #fuckmylifenowadays”

Ricky Wells*

“I would rather ride stoke pits then Buxton”

Marc Gent*

“Some people have really perfected the art of being an arse hole #welldone #speedwaypress”

Alex Harkess

“I’m aware that it’s raining in places such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, but here we’ve had drier conditions and the track covers have worked superbly.”

Michael Lee

“I believe some measures need to be taken now if speedway’s well-earned reputation as a sport for all the family isn’t to suffer. There are always going to be flare-ups and confrontations because speedway is also a hard sport in which contact is made quite often, but what we’ve seen in Mildenhall matches this season, at King’s Lynn and Rye House, amount to assaults. It’s no good just fining a rider who hits or headbutts another.”

Bryn Williams

“Schools on the Island are being specifically targeted to bring along groups of pupils to witness first hand the joys, thrills and sheer drama of the sport”

Joseph Screen*

“Don’t you just hate it when you airline the little spring from your blixt carb accross the workshop #needleinahaystack”

“Thank you all guys the the kind messages but now it’s time for me to step up to the level I should be racing at fingers crossed”

Paul Burbidge*

“If it was a PL match at Berwick tonight, sounds like it would have been called off this morning. Hope the club’s work is rewarded”

Dick Butler*

“looks in superb nick but probably won’t need watering”

Lewis Bridger*

“Not a good one for me I’m Devastated took me 2 races to find some BHP then the 3rd race rocker arm snapped 🙁 sorry guys”

Paul Burbidge*

“How bad is the track at Berwick? I’m hearing it was a miracle they got the SGP qualifier on”

Peter Savage*

“worst track I’ve seen for a while. Track covers didn’t cover the track entirely, just bends and even then not edge to edge…”

Ian Adam*

“second half of the meeting was good Danny King was excellent first of meeting was lottery well done Bomber 15 points”

Danny King*

“Well what a night. Track unrideable early on but fair play to berwick track staff for sorting it out. Glad i got through”

Danny King*

“Saw arm tho after crash #goodjobibounce”

Lewis Bridger*

“If there is 1 thing I have learnt from being a speedway rider that’s you have to work hard 4 what you want nothing worth having comes easy”

Kenneth Kruse Hansen*

“Happy to say I made it, conditions wasnt easy but track staf did a great job! Main thing was i made it trough!”

Dick Barrie

“A truly awful gater, Facu [Facundo Albin] probably passed more opponents on the night [at SGP Q1] than any other rider, afterwards admitting that he has never, ever had to ride on such a wet and heavy track, and certainly never in falling rain!”

Kenny Taylor

“I feel sorry for the club. You wait for more than 40 years to get a meeting like this and then the weather turns out the way it has. The racing wasn’t the best”

Linus Sundstrom

“conditions were awful and we really shouldn’t have ridden”

John Anderson

“Calling it off wasn’t really an option – well it was, but we didn’t really want to do that”

17th June

Roman Chyla

“I am surprised that after all that you [Yahoo speedway forum] people still take GP seriously”

Danny King*

“Sore arm today, is nice and swollen. Got the magic peas out to bring out the swelling. Shame i only had tinned 🙂 #dontthinkthatwillwork”

“3 Special boys would like to send Special fathers day wishes to an extra special daddy up in heaven ❤ Missing you #RICO x”

Casper Wortmann*

“Happy fathers day. I miss you dad. You was the best !”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“Landed in Edinburgh. SAS flight today and all I can say is fuck you Ryan Air u piece of shit”

Ludvig Lindgren*

“Praying to the weather gods that the meeting is gonna be on! And praying to the gating gods that I can trap 2 nite! #thespeedwaytoons”

Mick Horton

“Having joint team managers is not working for me, and I want to try something different. Blayne will be solely in charge, and we will have a former rider on hand to assist on technical matters with the boys. Colin will continue as co-promoter and operate day-to-day matters at the club. His speedway expertise is something we value greatly and he still has a very important part to play here at Coventry.”

Alan Boon*

“Mick Horton removes Colin Pratt as team manager without anyone to replace him but his stooge, Blayne Scroggins. This is not a joke. Sadly.”

Alan Boon*

“Horton wondering why fans aren’t turning up, and then he pulls a stunt like this. You get out what you put in, Horton – you’re bleeding us!”

Alan Boon*

“What Coventry needs: Buildbase to buy the club, and set things right again. The BSPA might just have killed one of its prime assets”

Paul Burbidge*

“Colin Pratt dropped as Coventry team boss with Blayne Scroggins taking sole charge. Pratt stays as promoter. What do Bees fans make of this?”

Jo Lowry*

“I urge you to think back to our conversation at lakeside….and now this happens? #bugger”

Paul Burbidge*

“I wonder if a bit of a power struggle is going on behind the scenes up there …”

Jo Lowry*

“whatever it is its not good!”

Alan Boon*

“Crowds fall at Elite League speedway team, owner takes them down to Premier League, sells off Elite League assets…#worstcasescenario”

Nigel Pearson*

“Must be tough for Buxton – but only as tough as when they thumped us last year when we were on the crest of a slump!”